s/o thread: does your spouse "use their degree?"

[Mrs Mungo]

I'm curious how many people really work in their degree field.

 

Have some :lurk5: and :chillpill: while I make the poll. :)

 

eta: Okay, done. I voted, "no, but they needed some kind of degree for the job." DH's degree has nothing to do with his job, except for the fact that he needed a degree. Would that be considered throwing his *degree* or *education* away? If not, why? My degree actually has something to do with the work I'm doing, even if I don't get paid.

Edited November 29, 2011 by Mrs Mungo

[PIE!]

I'm curious how many people really work in their degree field.

 

Have some :lurk5: and :chillpill: while I make the poll. :)

 

eta: Okay, done. I voted, "no, but they needed some kind of degree for the job." DH's degree has nothing to do with his job, except for the fact that he needed a degree. Would that be considered throwing his *degree* or *education* away? If not, why? My degree actually has something to do with the work I'm doing, even if I don't get paid.

 

yes. dh is a doctor. he definitely uses his degree for that.

 

strangely - my dad had a masters in embryology, but ended up selling theater parts most of his career. he was happy though.

[Farrar]

Dh's "major" (it was an untraditional college, but the basic idea is there) was in religion. He works in politics. Does THAT count? :tongue_smilie:

[Jennifer3141]

DH is a M.D. and practices as an M.D. so yes! :)

[Aquinas Academy]

Yes, Dh's degree is in engineering and he's now an engineer.

[Myeightkiddies]

Dh has a degree in engineering, and he does that. Though, most of what he learned in college is useless. Back then he took classes in FORTRAN and COBOL (no longer used in anything he does). Most of his expertise has been self-taught and developed over the years, but I suppose that is the case for a lot of degrees.

[Remudamom]

Dh and I both have degrees in education. He doesn't use his with the cattle. I never needed mine either.

[GWOB]

Yes, my dh does use his degree. Well, at least he works in his degree field. He has a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics and works at a nuclear power plant. His 10 years of experience operating Navy nuclear subs was probably more influential than his degree, but he would not have been offered such a high position without the degree.

 

I have a B.S. in Criminal Justice. That degree is the reason why I homeschool;).

[Chris in VA]

Dh has a MDiv and a doctorate, both of which he uses as a priest.

 

College, ideally, teaches you how to think, exposes you to other opinions/ideas/etc, helps you define your values and your opinions, AND teaches you content. It's never wasted, imo, no matter if you use it in your field or not. Ideally it helps mature you. (Ideally...)

[DawnM]

DH's undergrad was in Golf Management. He used that for quite a while.

Grad degree is in Business Taxation/Accounting. He still uses that one.

 

Dawn

[nukeswife]

I don't have a degree, so nothing to throw away.

 

DH has a BS in Physics which is why he's in the Navy now, when he graduated they were the only ones interested in hiring Physics majors. As to if he uses it, I voted "Sort of" He definitely needed it to enter the service via OCS, but he only uses it part of the time. He's a nuclear trained officer, but doesn't always have to be in a nuclear job because he's an officer. He goes where they tell him and does the job. Currently he's using it, but his last 3 sea tours (he's on his 5th consecutive sea tour) he didn't use it.

 

It really has nothing to do with your poll, but about 11 years ago he was asked to speak to the senior class when we were back visiting his home town. When he opened the floor for questions, one kid asked what dh thought was the one high school class that helped him the most in the Navy. My husbands response, "Sorry Dad, but it's not physics or even a science class like you may think. In all honestly it was Typing" The sorry dad was because his dad was the high school science teacher.

[JennyD]

nm

Edited November 29, 2011 by JennyD

[SonshineLearner]

My dad is a theologian and lawyer... He speaks and writes books... My husband is an engineer.... Mechanical by education, Design by trade :)

[chiguirre]

Sort of. He's a mechanical engineer with an MBA in finance. Most petroleum consultants have a similar background and dh does use his analytical skills all day everyday. However, he doesn't use much of the specific courses he took.

[kandty]

Would that be considered throwing his *degree* or *education* away? If not, why? My degree actually has something to do with the work I'm doing, even if I don't get paid.

 

No, because you said he needed some type of degree for his job. I have never had a job in my degree and never will. I don't regret going to college as I think it was very useful. If and when I go back into the work field, I sure hope having a degree makes it easier to get a job. In today's economy and high cost of a college education, I would think differently about it. I would really make sure a degree is necessary and that you can get a job with that degree!

[chepyl]

One job uses his degree, one required no degree. I use both of my degrees in my work.

[FaithManor]

Dh triple majored in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Business Administration. He works for a large I.T. company and has always done both computer work as well teaching mathematics and as well as being involved in business administration.

 

Faith

[Laurie4b]

I voted other because dh does not use his degree for his job (he's a computer consultant with a degree in New Testament, ethics, and ancient languages) , but he does use it to enrich our family life and in his role as an elder at our church.

 

He says ancient languages help with the computer work--computer programming is about language, in dh's opinion. Dh also loves Sodoku, doing crossword puzzles in ink, doing really hard jigsaw puzzles, etc. I think that "love of puzzles" is a huge part of what makes him successful in his job. Who knew that his leisure activities would be the basis of his career? :)

 

I guess the unrelated degree was tangentially related to his career because while he was in grad school, he was hired to do low-level computer stuff by another grad student with a computer business. They all joked that since the work was boring and required you to sit on your butt all day, that grad students had what it took to get the job done!

Edited November 29, 2011 by Laurie4b

[Jean in Newcastle]

Ds uses his B.S. in his day job. He uses his MDiv in his weekend/evening job.

[Whereneverever]

My DH doesn't use his undergrad degree (History) but does use his Master's (Theology/he's a pastor).

[regentrude]

Both DH and I have PhDs in physics and we both have jobs where this specific degree is necessary to do the job.

[nancypantsgirl]

Yes and no. He has about 4 part time jobs right now. He has a BA in youth ministry and a ThM as well as certification as a Biblical counselor. He counsels a small portion of the time, grades counseling papers for CCEF, and he works a plumber's assistant/construction dude as well. It's all gap-filling right now. He would love to counsel full time or pastor again (though he needed the break from that)... but he'd really just love any full-time job with benefits.

 

I did not get a degree (and am very happy with that decision) and am a wedding photographer with a fabulous company. It's not full time but I bring in enough to help out and am able to get into the office and edit whenever the hubs is home grading papers, etc. It's an exhausting existence but we are surviving and praying for something more permanent and gainful!

[simka2]

No, his degree has nothing to do with what he does now. I will say the people skills he learned as a Pastor have been invaluable in what he now does.

 

I think having a degree probably helped him advance as much as he has, but that is all.

[Rosie_0801]

Dh spent way too much time at uni. His first degree was in computer science and psychology. The psych is useful for dinner table conversations sometimes. He used his array of education qualifications for three years, then remembered how much he used to like IT and went back to it.

 

Rosie

[Joker]

Dh has a degree in applied mathematics and is an actuary so he uses it. It wasn't his plan though. His parents pushed college and he's good at math and he basically picked the first thing he saw in the catalog. He actually enlisted in the Marines after he graduated because he had no idea what to do with the degree or what he wanted. They matured him quickly enough.:tongue_smilie:

 

ETA: The thing that has helped him the most with his career is the combination of his college degree and his military experience. They have been equally valuable.

Edited November 29, 2011 by Horton

[higginszoo]

Mmm, Nutella...

 

But seriously, my dh has a degree in math ... two, actually (BA/MA).

 

He doesn't use it a whole lot. I mean, math is everywhere, but it isn't more involved in his day to day job than anyone in a semi-technical field (he's a project management specialist for a large orthotics/prosthetics company). He wouldn't have the job he has without some kind of degree, preferably in a technical field, and he does tend to make more than some of his peers because of the masters.

[gardenmom5]

dh has degree's in accounting, econ, and business. He owns his own business, and he uses his background.

 

 

2dd is a chem major/bio minor, and is in pharm school. she is currently working as a pharm intern.

 

1dd has a degree in classics, but works in database administration. she learned alot about how language works/evolvs as a classics major. it was very simple to learn SQL (and other comp languages), which is a very basic language compared to ancient latin or greek.

 

neice has a BS in microbiology, and is a database designer. (she got into that while working in a bio lab. she was low man on the totem pole, so she was put to work running the database. she really liked it.)

her husband has a BA in landscape architure, but works as a software architect.

[PentecostalMom]

I voted yes, but wanted to vote Nutella. :lol: Haven't had any since little ds arrived! Time for a trip to buy some, yummy!

[wapiti]

Dh has a JD and practices law. He also has an engineering degree from undergrad (a service academy), and that knowledge, combined with leadership experience while in the military, are also very useful his particular job.

[PentecostalMom]

ETA: The thing that has helped him the most with his career is the combination of his college degree and his military experience. They have been equally valuable.

 

:iagree:for my dh as well. Being a disabled vet gets lots of doors opened! Dh's shoulder was injured during his last deployment.

[gardenmom5]

I .

 

He says ancient languages help with the computer work--computer programming is about language, in dh's opinion. !

 

 

dd says the same thing. I had an interesting chat with her history of english prof. a comp sci major came back and visited (graduates often go back to visit) and stated it was THE most useful class he took for his job as a programmer - more so than *any* required comp programming class, because it focused on a real language, and how it evolved and shifted. computer languages are easy by comparison to human langauges.

Edited November 29, 2011 by gardenmom5

[i.love.lucy]

Yes, mine has a Bach of Fine Arts and works as a Creative Director doing all his company's web design, packaging, advertising, works with marketing etc.

[Liz CA]

Yes. Dh in engineering technology and construction management and I use mine as well.

[aggieamy]

DH and I are both engineers and we both use our degrees and work in our specified fields.

[zaichiki]

Dh has a math degree and works in IT... so... his specific degree is not really related, but his position requires a degree.

 

Mine is in Deaf education. Used it when I was a teacher of the Deaf. At one point I also worked as an ASL interpreter, which did not require the degree I had.

Edited November 29, 2011 by zaichiki

[MamaSheep]

I voted yes. Dh's degree is in computer art with a specialization in animation. He makes online games for a living. So he does some animation, and has added some programming skills along the way, though he doesn't do animated tv and movies, which was an option for a while (he decided it was a lifestyle that didn't allow sufficient time for family).

 

I then asked dh the question and told him the options. He said, "My response would be 'sort of', moving into 'Nutella'." He's had a frustrating day with irrational clients and crashing hard drives.

 

ETA: (On occasion he uses my degree too, as I have a degree in illustration and will sometimes pitch in with graphics when he's in a time crunch. Also, I backseat drive his color schemes. Sorry my love, but that green STILL doesn't work. That is all.)

Edited November 29, 2011 by MamaSheep

[sewingmama]

DH has an education degree and until recently worked as a high school teacher. He now has a consulting job with the Dept. of Education - so yes.

[MyLittleWonders]

I voted yes. Dh's degrees (BA and MA) are both in math, plus he has a single-subject teaching credential. He teaches math daily, so he uses it daily.

[Socalimom]

Yes, my dh is a RN.

As for myself, I do use both of my degrees daily in teaching. I was a ps teacher before having my own children.

[ElizabethB]

Some of his jobs, he has, some not really. He has several degrees now, so that increases the probability of using one of them!

 

Funny story from my first job in the Air Force: I was put to work as a Chemist with a Biology degree, along with several others in the lab where I worked. After about 2 months there, I found a Chemist across the street doing biology work! At the time, chemistry and biology were considered the same field in the Air Force and all the jobs for both were lumped together in one big pile. (After the first assignment, you usually had more say in your job and these mismatches did not occur as frequently.)

 

When people called the lab with difficult questions, I just said, I'm sorry, I'm a new lieutenant, let me get a senior chemist to answer that for you. Luckily, they had plenty of work I was able to muddle through with my biology degree and there were plenty of senior chemists around when people called with tough questions involving actual chemistry. (The day to day work did not require a chemistry background; in fact a mechanical background was better to keep our old machines running smoothly.)

Edited November 29, 2011 by ElizabethB

[Melissa in Australia]

Dh has a trade , not a degree.

[creekland]

Civil Engineering for my hubby, so yes, he most certainly uses his degree on a daily basis.

 

Mine is Physics with minors in math and psychology (organizational and industrial concentration). I tend to use the psychology most when substitute teaching I think, but since I sub mainly in the math/science classes I do use that info to a little extent too. I needed the degree to be able to have the subbing job.

[Rebecca VA]

Electrical engineering with a master's degree in computer science.

 

Nuclear training from the Navy.

 

Currently he uses some of his nuclear knowledge, but he is doing more high-level diplomatic stuff now.

[JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst]

Yes, my husband's degree relates directly to his work. Both undergraduate and masters.

 

Tough vote though...I hate to vote against Nutella. I'm feeling the breakfast inspiration already.

[Liza Lee]

I voted Nutella. Which means that I don't have a spouse, but I like to vote in polls.

 

However, my ex has a degree in engineering and works in that field.

[Home_s_Cool]

Both bach. and masters in engineering - and he has always worked in that field (20 years not).

[thescrappyhomeschooler]

Yes. Dh is a lawyer, so definitely using his law degree.

[snickelfritz]

Voted yes--engineering

[Ellie]

Mr. Ellie doesn't have a degree, other than a 2yr degree in metrology, which may or may not count but if it does, then he doesn't use it, so I voted "Nutella." :D

 

ETA: Insomnia grammar ponderings: Is "your spouse" a "they"? :D

Edited November 29, 2011 by Ellie

[ashfern]

I voted "other". My DH is self-employed. He has a BS in Physics & MBA. He does mostly computer programming. I guess the MBA is useful as a business owner but not required.